User equipment based fast return to LTE

ABSTRACT

A system for delaying or inhibiting data is provided in order to shorten the time required for a reselection process from a first communication protocol to a second communication protocol. Reselection from the first communication protocol to the second communication protocol (e.g., 3G to 4G) requires a period of time without data transfers to allow the reselection to complete. The system delays or inhibits data transfers on the mobile device until the reselection process completes or the mobile device is idle for a predetermined length of time. In an embodiment, the system can buffer outgoing data and then send the data once the reselection has completed. In other embodiments, the system can drop packet sessions or ignore incoming packet pages. In another embodiment, the system can delay or inhibit data based on the priority of the data.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The subject patent application is a continuation of, and claims priorityto each of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/822,282, filed Mar. 18,2020, and entitled “USER EQUIPMENT BASED FAST RETURN TO LTE,” which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/139,159 (now U.S.Pat. No. 10,638,387), filed Sep. 24, 2018, and entitled “USER EQUIPMENTBASED FAST RETURN TO LTE,” which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/607,794 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,117,145), filedJan. 28, 2015, and entitled “USER EQUIPMENT BASED FAST RETURN TO LTE,”the entireties of which priority applications are hereby incorporated byreference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject disclosure relates to a system for improving a reselectionprocess in a mobile communications environment.

BACKGROUND

Mobile devices can use a variety of communications protocols, but maynot be able to use them simultaneously. The process of switching fromone communication protocol to another can take some time, and theprocess can be delayed if data transfers are made before the reselectionprocess has completed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an example, non-limiting embodiment of a block diagram showinga mobile device using communicating with a 3G mobile network inaccordance with various aspects described herein.

FIG. 2 is an example, non-limiting embodiment of a block diagram showingan improved reselection process mobile device using communicating with a4G mobile network after reselection in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 3 is an example, non-limiting embodiment of a block diagram showingan improved reselection process in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 4 is an example, non-limiting embodiment of a block diagram showinga reselection system in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 5 is an example, non-limiting embodiment of a block diagram showinga reselection system in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 6 is an example, non-limiting embodiment of a block diagram showinga reselection system in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting embodimentof a method for inhibiting data to enable an improved reselectionprocess as described herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of a user equipment (UE) suitable forinhibiting data to improve reselection in accordance with the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of amobile network platform in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more embodiments are now described with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to likeelements throughout. In the following description, for purposes ofexplanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the various embodiments. It is evident,however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without thesespecific details (and without applying to any particular networkedenvironment or standard).

To shorten the time required for a reselection process from a firstcommunication protocol to a second communication protocol, a system fordelaying or inhibiting data is provided. Reselection from the firstcommunication protocol (or Radio Access Technology) to the secondcommunication protocol (e.g., 3G to 4G and/or LTE) requires a period oftime without data transfers to allow the reselection to complete. Ifapplications on the mobile device, or background processes send data, orrespond to incoming packet pages, the reselection process restarts untila minimum idle time is realized. The system delays or inhibits datatransfers on the mobile device until the reselection process completesor the mobile device is idle for a predetermined length of time. In anembodiment, the system can buffer outgoing data and then send the dataonce the reselection has completed. In other embodiments, the system candrop packet sessions or ignore incoming packet pages.

In an embodiment, the system can delay or inhibit data based on thepriority of the data. For example, a first set of data with a lowerpriority (e.g., background processes) may be delayed, but a second setof data with a higher priority level (e.g., voice, SMS, applicationbased data) may be sent before the reselection process has completed.

For these considerations as well as other considerations, in one or moreembodiments, a system includes a processor and a memory to storeexecutable instructions that when executed by the processor, facilitateperformance of operations, including determining that a mobile device isreselecting a mobile network communication from a first communicationprotocol to a second communication protocol. The operations alsocomprise delaying a first data transmission of the mobile device usingthe first communication protocol until the reselecting of the mobilenetwork communication from the first communications protocol to thesecond communication protocol has been determined to have completed. Theoperations further comprise resuming the first data transmission usingthe second communication protocol.

In another embodiment, a method can comprise suspending, by a devicecomprising a processor, a first transmission of data in a firstcommunication protocol from the device to a mobile network. The methodcan also include initiating, by the device, a reselection process withthe mobile network from the first communication protocol to a secondcommunication protocol. The method can also include resuming, by thedevice, the first transmission according to the second communicationprotocol in response to determining that the reselection process fromthe first communications protocol to the second communication protocolhas been completed.

In another embodiment, a computer-readable storage device storingexecutable instructions that, in response to execution, cause a systemcomprising a processor to perform operations. The operations can includesuspending a first transmission of data transmitted according to a firstcommunication protocol from a device to a network, in response todetermining that the first transmission of data does not satisfy apredetermined criterion related to priority. The operations can furtherinclude initiating, by the device, a reselection process with the mobilenetwork from the first communication protocol to a second communicationprotocol. The operations can further include resuming, by the device,the first transmission according to a second communication protocol inresponse to determining that the reselection process from the firstcommunications protocol to the second communication protocol has beencompleted.

Turning now to FIG. 1 , illustrated is an example, non-limitingembodiment of a block diagram 100 showing a mobile device usingcommunicating with a 3G mobile network in accordance with variousaspects described herein. In FIG. 1 , mobile device 102 communicateswith a mobile network via a macrocell device 104 (e.g., base stationdevice) using a 3G network platform 106. The macrocell device 104 alsois connected to a 4G network platform 108, but the mobile device 102uses the radio access technology (“RAT”) associated with the 3G networkplatform 106. In an embodiment, the mobile device 102 can becommunicating using the 3G RAT during a voice call or data session when4G may not have been available. Once the data session or the voice callcomes to an end, the mobile device 102 can perform reselection or switchto 4G RAT as shown in the block diagram 200 in FIG. 2 . In FIG. 2 , themobile device 202 communicates with the macrocell device 210 via the 4Gnetwork platform 208. The 3G network platform 206 is available if avoice call needs to be made, but otherwise is not used by mobile device202 after reselection from 3G to 4G is performed.

It is to be appreciated that in both FIGS. 1 and 2 and throughout thespecification, although the RATs are described as 3G and 4G, in otherembodiments, other communications protocols can be used. For example,the reselection can be between 2G and 4G, 2G and 3G, or even betweencellular protocols and non-cellular protocols (future generations ofradio access technologies such as 5G and/or 6G, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, etc.). Inan embodiment, the mobile device 102 and/or 202 can reselect from alower priority mobile network to a higher priority mobile network. Thepriority of the networks can change and/or be adjusted based on whatnetworks are available, usage, and other concerns. In anotherembodiment, the mobile devices 102 and/or 202 can reselect from amacrocell to a personal access point, femtocell device, or distributedantenna system.

Turning now to FIG. 3 , illustrated is an example, non-limitingembodiment of a block diagram 300 showing an improved reselectionprocess in accordance with various aspects described. Block diagram 300depicts an unimproved reselection process 302 and contrasts it with theimproved reselection process 314 with inhibited data as disclosedherein.

In 302, after a 3G voice call 304 ends, the mobile device attempts toreselect (e.g., 306) but is interrupted by occasional data transferseither incoming or outgoing (e.g., 308). Only when a sufficient amountof idle time without data transfers occurs, (e.g., 310) does the mobiledevice complete reselection, and LTE service 312 is resumed/initiated.

On the other hand, in the improved reselection process 314 as disclosedherein, after the 3G call 316 ends, data transfers can be inhibitedand/or delayed for a predetermined period of time such that thereselection can proceed during the idle time at 318. Once the idle timehas passed, and the LTE service has begun at 322, data transfers thatwere inhibited and/or delayed can proceed at 320.

In an embodiment, the data 308 and 320 can be application based data ornetwork background process data (e.g., radio resource control relateddata). The data 308 and 320 can be incoming data or outgoing data to orfrom the mobile device, and a data inhibition component on the mobiledevice can delay and/or otherwise inhibit the data so that thereselection process can proceed at 318. In an embodiment, the datatransfers can be inhibited and/or delayed for a predetermined length oftime such as 30 seconds. In other embodiments, the data inhibitioncomponent can detect and/or otherwise determine when reselection hascompleted and stop inhibiting data after completion. The length of timethat the data inhibition component blocks data can be adjusted based onthe communications protocols that the mobile device is switchingbetween, based on the network the mobile device is connected to, orbased on user preferences. In an embodiment, the data inhibitioncomponent can allow data to be transferred after reselection hascompleted or if the reselection process takes longer than apredetermined length of time.

In other embodiments, the data inhibition component can delay and/orotherwise inhibit data based on a priority level of the data. Foroutgoing data, such priority levels can determine whether or not thedata is blocked to ensure an idle time for the reselection process toproceed. For instance, voice data can have a high priority ranking andnetwork background processes (such as radio resource control reports,mobility management data, etc.) can have a lower priority ranking, withother applications having priority rankings falling in between. The datainhibition component can delay or block data that has a priority rankingbelow a predetermined ranking, while allowing data transfers above thepredetermined ranking to proceed. Similarly, for incoming datatransfers, based on priority level associated with an incoming packetpage, the data inhibition component will allow or disallow the mobiledevice to respond to the packet page.

In an embodiment, the mobile device can buffer the data during the idleperiod and then transmit the data to the network once the reselectionprocess has completed. In an embodiment, the buffering continues untilreselection is complete, and in another embodiment, the bufferingcontinues for an adjustable or non-adjustable predetermined length oftime. In yet other embodiments, the buffering can continue until amemory device associated with the buffering is full or reaches apredetermined capacity. In some embodiments, the data above or below apredetermined ranking can be buffered while other data can either beallowed to be transmitted, or can be ignored and/or blocked completely.If the buffer or memory device reaches the predetermined capacity,subsequent data can either be block/ignored or allowed to be transmittedthrough to the mobile network. In yet other embodiments, in response todetermining that the buffer is full and before the reselecting has beendetermined to have completed, the data inhibition component can drop apacket session associated with the data transmission.

Turning now to FIG. 4 , illustrated is an example, non-limitingembodiment of a block diagram 400 showing a reselection system on amobile device 404 in accordance with various aspects described herein.The mobile device 404 can send and receive transmissions to and from amacrocell device 402 using either 3G or 4G radio access technologies.After a voice call or other data transmission using 3G radio accesstechnology, a reselection component 406 on mobile device 404 can beconfigured to initiate a reselection process with the mobile networkfrom a first communication protocol (e.g., 3G) to a second communicationprotocol (e.g., 4G/LTE). In other embodiments, other communicationsprotocols can be used. For example, the reselection can be between 2Gand 4G, 2G and 3G, or even between cellular protocols and non-cellularprotocols (future generations of radio access technologies such as 5Gand/or 6G, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, etc.). In an embodiment, the reselectioncomponent 406 can reselect from a lower priority mobile network to ahigher priority mobile network. The priority of the networks can changeand/or be adjusted based on what networks are available, usage, andother concerns. In another embodiment, the reselection component 406 canreselect from a macrocell (e.g., macrocell device 402) to a personalaccess point, femtocell device, or distributed antenna system.

In an embodiment, reselection component 406 can initiate reselectionfrom the first communication protocol to the second communicationprotocol in response to a data transmission associated with the firstcommunication protocol ending. An inhibitor component 408 can beprovided to delay a data transmission of the mobile device using thefirst communication protocol until the reselecting of the mobile networkcommunication from the first communications protocol to the secondcommunication protocol has been determined to have completed by thereselection component 406. In an embodiment, the inhibitor component 408can initiate the data blocking/delaying in response to determining thatthe reselection component 406 has initiated reselection. In anembodiment, the reselection component 406 can send a notification to theinhibitor component 408 that reselection has begun.

The inhibitor component 408 can inhibit and/or delay data transmissionsfor a predetermined and/or adjustable period of time such that thereselection can proceed during the idle time. In other embodiments, theinhibitor component 408 can inhibit and/or delay data transmissionsuntil the reselection component 406 completes the reselection.Reselection component 406 can send a notification to the inhibitorcomponent 408 that reselection has been completed.

In an embodiment, the data that is blocked can be application based dataor network background process data (e.g., radio resource control relateddata). The data can be incoming data or outgoing data to or from themobile device 404, and the inhibitor component 408 on the mobile device404 can delay and/or otherwise inhibit the data so that the reselectioncomponent 406 can complete reselection. In an embodiment, the datainhibited can include circuit switched communications such as phonecalls over 3G network, as well as voice over LTE (“VoLTE”), video, andother forms of packet switched data communications. In an embodiment,the data transfers can be inhibited and/or delayed for a predeterminedlength of time such as 30 seconds. In other embodiments, the inhibitorcomponent 408 can detect and/or otherwise determine when reselection hascompleted and stop inhibiting data after completion. The length of timethat the data inhibition component blocks data can be adjusted based onthe communications protocols that the mobile device is switching to andfrom, based on the network the mobile device is connected to, or basedon user preferences. In an embodiment, the inhibitor component 408 canallow data to be transferred after reselection has completed or if thereselection process takes longer than a predetermined length of time.

Turning now to FIG. 5 , illustrated is an example, non-limitingembodiment of a block diagram 500 showing a reselection system on amobile device 504 in accordance with various aspects described herein.The mobile device 504 can send and receive transmissions to and from amacrocell device 502 using either 3G or 4G radio access technologies.After a voice call or other data transmission using 3G radio accesstechnology, a reselection component 506 on mobile device 504 can beconfigured to initiate a reselection process with the mobile networkfrom a first communication protocol (e.g., 3G) to a second communicationprotocol (e.g., 4G/LTE).

In an embodiment, reselection component 506 can initiate reselectionfrom the first communication protocol to the second communicationprotocol in response to a data transmission associated with the firstcommunication protocol ending. An inhibitor component 508 can beprovided to delay a data transmission of the mobile device using thefirst communication protocol until the reselecting of the mobile networkcommunication from the first communications protocol to the secondcommunication protocol has been determined to have completed by thereselection component 506.

In an embodiment, a buffer component 510 can be provided to buffer datathat is being delayed and/or inhibited by the inhibitor component 508.The buffer component 510 can continue buffering data until thereselection component 506 has completed reselection from the firstcommunication protocol to the second communication protocol. In anotherembodiment, the buffer component 510 can continue to buffer data for anadjustable or non-adjustable predetermined length of time. In yet otherembodiments, the buffering can continue until a memory device 512associated with the buffering is full or reaches a predeterminedcapacity. In some embodiments, the data above or below a predeterminedranking can be buffered by the buffer component 510 while other data caneither be allowed to be transmitted, or can be ignored and/or blockedpartially or completely. If the memory device 512 reaches thepredetermined capacity, subsequent data can either be block/ignored orallowed to be transmitted through to the mobile network. In yet otherembodiments, in response to determining that the buffer is full andbefore the reselecting has been determined to have completed, theinhibitor component 508 can drop a packet session associated with thedata transmission.

Turning now to FIG. 6 , illustrated is an example, non-limitingembodiment of a block diagram 600 showing a reselection system on amobile device 604 in accordance with various aspects described herein.The mobile device 604 can send and receive transmissions to and from amacrocell device 602 using either 3G or 4G radio access technologies.After a voice call or other data transmission using 3G radio accesstechnology, a reselection component 606 on mobile device 604 can beconfigured to initiate a reselection process with the mobile networkfrom a first communication protocol (e.g., 3G) to a second communicationprotocol (e.g., 4G/LTE).

In an embodiment, reselection component 606 can initiate reselectionfrom the first communication protocol to the second communicationprotocol in response to a data transmission associated with the firstcommunication protocol ending. An inhibitor component 608 can beprovided to delay a data transmission of the mobile device using thefirst communication protocol until the reselecting of the mobile networkcommunication from the first communications protocol to the secondcommunication protocol has been determined to have completed by thereselection component 606.

In an embodiment, a priority component 610 can rank data based on thepriority of the data. Priority component 610 can also determine thepriority of the data based on received rankings (either from the mobilenetwork or from applications associated with the data. The inhibitorcomponent 608 can delay and/or otherwise inhibit data based on apriority level of the data. For outgoing data, such priority levels candetermine whether or not the data is blocked to ensure an idle time forthe reselection process to proceed. For instance, voice data can have ahigh priority ranking and network background processes (such as radioresource control reports, mobility management data, etc.) can have alower priority ranking, with other applications having priority rankingsfalling in between. The inhibitor component 608 can delay or block datathat has a priority ranking below a predetermined ranking, whileallowing data transfers above the predetermined ranking to proceed.Similarly, for incoming data transfers received via a communicationcomponent 612, priority component 610 can determine the priority levelof the incoming data and determine whether the priority is sufficientlyhigh to interrupt the reselection process.

FIG. 7 illustrates a process in connection with the aforementionedsystems. The process in FIG. 7 can be implemented for example by systems100-600 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 respectively. While for purposes ofsimplicity of explanation, the methods are shown and described as aseries of blocks, it is to be understood and appreciated that theclaimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks, assome blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with otherblocks from what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not allillustrated blocks may be required to implement the methods describedhereinafter.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for inhibiting data toenable an improved reselection process as described herein. The method700 can start at 702 where a first transmission of data is suspended(e.g., by the inhibitor component 408) in a first communication protocolfrom a mobile device to a mobile network. The first communicationprotocol can be a 3G communication protocol, and the data can be delayedand/or blocked by the inhibitor component. In some embodiments the datacan be buffered until the first transmission is resumed.

At 704, the method can include initiating (e.g., by the reselectioncomponent 406) a reselection process with the mobile network from thefirst communication protocol to a second communication protocol. In someembodiments, the reselection process is initiated after the data isinhibited, and in other embodiments, the reselection process caninitiate, and then in response to the reselection process, the firsttransmission of data can be blocked or delayed. At 706, the methodincludes resuming (e.g., by the inhibitor component 408), the firsttransmission according to the second communication protocol in responseto determining that the reselection process from the firstcommunications protocol to the second communication protocol has beencompleted. In some embodiments, the first transmission can be resumedafter a predetermined length of time, or after a buffer in which thefirst transmission was saved in is filled or reaches a predeterminedcapacity.

Referring now to FIG. 8 , there is illustrated a block diagram of amobile device or UE 800 that performs a reselection process from onecommunication protocol to another communication protocol in accordancewith the various embodiments. The UE 800 can include a processor 802 forcontrolling all onboard operations and processes. A memory 804 caninterface to the processor 802 for storage of data and one or moreapplications 806 being executed by the processor 802. A communicationscomponent 808 can interface to the processor 802 to facilitatewired/wireless communication with external systems (e.g., femtocell andmacro cell). The communications component 808 interfaces to a locationcomponent 809 (e.g., GPS transceiver) that can facilitate locationdetection of the UE 800. Note that the location component 809 can alsobe included as part of the communications component 808.

The UE 800 can include a display 810 for displaying content downloadedand/or for displaying text information related to operating and usingthe device features. A serial I/O interface 812 is provided incommunication with the processor 802 to facilitate serial communication(e.g., USB, and/or IEEE 1394) via a hardwire connection. Audiocapabilities are provided with an audio I/O component 814, which caninclude a speaker for the output of audio signals related to, forexample, recorded data or telephony voice data, and a microphone forinputting voice signals for recording and/or telephone conversations. Inaddition, sensor(s) 830 can be included to detect usage activity of theUE 800 and/or to detect position, motion and/or orientation of the UE800.

The UE 800 can include a slot interface 816 for accommodating asubscriber identity module (SIM) 818. Firmware 820 is also provided tostore and provide to the processor 802 startup and operational data. TheUE 800 can also include an image capture component 822 such as a cameraand/or a video decoder 824 for decoding encoded multimedia content. TheUE 800 can also include a power source 826 in the form of batteries,which interfaces to an external power system or charging equipment via apower I/O component 828. In addition, the UE 800 can be substantiallysimilar to and include functionality associated with mobile devices 102,202, 404 and 504 described herein.

Referring now to FIG. 9 , there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein. For example, in some embodiments, the computer can be or beincluded within the radio repeater system disclosed in any of theprevious systems 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 and/or 700.

In order to provide additional context for various embodiments describedherein, FIG. 9 and the following discussion are intended to provide abrief, general description of a suitable computing environment 900 inwhich the various embodiments of the embodiment described herein can beimplemented. While the embodiments have been described above in thegeneral context of computer-executable instructions that can run on oneor more computers, those skilled in the art will recognize that theembodiments can be also implemented in combination with other programmodules and/or as a combination of hardware and software.

Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the various methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, including single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so forth, as used in theclaims, unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity only anddoesn't otherwise indicate or imply any order in time. For instance, “afirst determination,” “a second determination,” and “a thirddetermination,” does not indicate or imply that the first determinationis to be made before the second determination, or vice versa, etc.

The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be alsopracticed in distributed computing environments where certain tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which caninclude computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and includes both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured dataor unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can include, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digitalversatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devicesor other tangible and/or non-transitory media which can be used to storedesired information. In this regard, the terms “tangible” or“non-transitory” herein as applied to storage, memory orcomputer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude onlypropagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not relinquishrights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media thatare not only propagating transitory signals per se.

Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local orremote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or otherdata retrieval protocols, for a variety of operations with respect tothe information stored by the medium.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and includes any information deliveryor transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signals refersto a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changedin such a manner as to encode information in one or more signals. By wayof example, and not limitation, communication media include wired media,such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless mediasuch as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

With reference again to FIG. 9 , the example environment 900 forimplementing various embodiments of the aspects described hereinincludes a computer 902, the computer 902 including a processing unit904, a system memory 906 and a system bus 908. The system bus 908couples system components including, but not limited to, the systemmemory 906 to the processing unit 904. The processing unit 904 can beany of various commercially available processors. Dual microprocessorsand other multi-processor architectures can also be employed as theprocessing unit 904.

The system bus 908 can be any of several types of bus structure that canfurther interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 906 includesROM 910 and RAM 912. A basic input/output system (BIOS) can be stored ina non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmable read onlymemory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines that helpto transfer information between elements within the computer 902, suchas during startup. The RAM 912 can also include a high-speed RAM such asstatic RAM for caching data.

The computer 902 further includes an internal hard disk drive (HDD) 914(e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal hard disk drive 914 can also beconfigured for external use in a suitable chassis (not shown), amagnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 916, (e.g., to read from or write to aremovable diskette 918) and an optical disk drive 920, (e.g., reading aCD-ROM disk 922 or, to read from or write to other high capacity opticalmedia such as the DVD). The hard disk drive 914, magnetic disk drive 916and optical disk drive 920 can be connected to the system bus 908 by ahard disk drive interface 924, a magnetic disk drive interface 926 andan optical drive interface 928, respectively. The interface 924 forexternal drive implementations includes at least one or both ofUniversal Serial Bus (USB) and Institute of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers (IEEE) 994 interface technologies. Other external driveconnection technologies are within contemplation of the embodimentsdescribed herein.

The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 902, the drives and storagemedia accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable storage media above refersto a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic diskette, and aremovable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that other types of storage media which arereadable by a computer, such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flashmemory cards, cartridges, and the like, can also be used in the exampleoperating environment, and further, that any such storage media cancontain computer-executable instructions for performing the methodsdescribed herein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 912,including an operating system 930, one or more application programs 932,other program modules 934 and program data 936. All or portions of theoperating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also be cachedin the RAM 912. The systems and methods described herein can beimplemented utilizing various commercially available operating systemsor combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 902 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 938 and apointing device, such as a mouse 940. Other input devices (not shown)can include a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick, agame pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and other inputdevices are often connected to the processing unit 904 through an inputdevice interface 942 that can be coupled to the system bus 908, but canbe connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE 1394serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port, an IRinterface, etc.

A monitor 944 or other type of display device can be also connected tothe system bus 908 via an interface, such as a video adapter 946. Inaddition to the monitor 944, a computer typically includes otherperipheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 902 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 948. The remotecomputer(s) 948 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentappliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallyincludes many or all of the elements described relative to the computer902, although, for purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device 950is illustrated. The logical connections depicted include wired/wirelessconnectivity to a local area network (LAN) 952 and/or larger networks,e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 954. Such LAN and WAN networkingenvironments are commonplace in offices and companies, and facilitateenterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all of which canconnect to a global communications network, e.g., the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 902 can beconnected to the local network 952 through a wired and/or wirelesscommunication network interface or adapter 956. The adapter 956 canfacilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN 952, which canalso include a wireless AP disposed thereon for communicating with thewireless adapter 956.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 902 can includea modem 958 or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN954 or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN 954,such as by way of the Internet. The modem 958, which can be internal orexternal and a wired or wireless device, can be connected to the systembus 908 via the input device interface 942. In a networked environment,program modules depicted relative to the computer 902 or portionsthereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device 950. It willbe appreciated that the network connections shown are example and othermeans of establishing a communications link between the computers can beused.

The computer 902 can be operable to communicate with any wirelessdevices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication,e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portabledata assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment orlocation associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk,news stand, restroom), and telephone. This can include Wireless Fidelity(Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technologies. Thus, the communicationcan be a predefined structure as with a conventional network or simplyan ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bedin a hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is awireless technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enablessuch devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data indoors and out;anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks use radiotechnologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, etc.) to providesecure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can beused to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wirednetworks (which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operatein the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands, at an 11 Mbps (802.11a) or54 Mbps (802.11b) data rate, for example or with products that containboth bands (dual band), so the networks can provide real-worldperformance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernet networks used inmany offices.

FIG. 10 presents an example embodiment 1000 of a mobile network platform1010 that can implement and exploit one or more aspects of the disclosedsubject matter described herein. Generally, wireless network platform1010 can include components, e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers,or disparate platforms, which facilitate both packet-switched (PS)(e.g., internet protocol (IP), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode(ATM)) and circuit-switched (CS) traffic (e.g., voice and data), as wellas control generation for networked wireless telecommunication. As anon-limiting example, wireless network platform 1010 can be included intelecommunications carrier networks, and can be considered carrier-sidecomponents as discussed elsewhere herein. Mobile network platform 1010includes CS gateway node(s) 1012 which can interface CS traffic receivedfrom legacy networks like telephony network(s) 1040 (e.g., publicswitched telephone network (PSTN), or public land mobile network (PLMN))or a signaling system #7 (SS7) network 1070. Circuit switched gatewaynode(s) 1012 can authorize and authenticate traffic (e.g., voice)arising from such networks. Additionally, CS gateway node(s) 1012 canaccess mobility, or roaming, data generated through SS7 network 1070;for instance, mobility data stored in a visited location register (VLR),which can reside in memory 1030. Moreover, CS gateway node(s) 1012interfaces CS-based traffic and signaling and PS gateway node(s) 1018.As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, CS gateway node(s) 1012 can berealized at least in part in gateway GPRS support node(s) (GGSN). Itshould be appreciated that functionality and specific operation of CSgateway node(s) 1012, PS gateway node(s) 1018, and serving node(s) 1016,is provided and dictated by radio technology(ies) utilized by mobilenetwork platform 1010 for telecommunication.

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic andsignaling, PS gateway node(s) 1018 can authorize and authenticatePS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions caninclude traffic, or content(s), exchanged with networks external to thewireless network platform 1010, like wide area network(s) (WANs) 1050,enterprise network(s) 1070, and service network(s) 1080, which can beembodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced withmobile network platform 1010 through PS gateway node(s) 1018. It is tobe noted that WANs 1050 and enterprise network(s) 1060 can embody, atleast in part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS).Based on radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s)1017, packet-switched gateway node(s) 1018 can generate packet dataprotocol contexts when a data session is established; other datastructures that facilitate routing of packetized data also can begenerated. To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 1018 caninclude a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate packetizedcommunication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Finetworks.

In embodiment 1000, wireless network platform 1010 also includes servingnode(s) 1016 that, based upon available radio technology layer(s) withintechnology resource(s) 1017, convey the various packetized flows of datastreams received through PS gateway node(s) 1018. It is to be noted thatfor technology resource(s) 1017 that rely primarily on CS communication,server node(s) can deliver traffic without reliance on PS gatewaynode(s) 1018; for example, server node(s) can embody at least in part amobile switching center. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, servingnode(s) 1016 can be embodied in serving GPRS support node(s) (SGSN).

For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication, server(s)1014 in wireless network platform 1010 can execute numerous applicationsthat can generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows,and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Suchapplication(s) can include add-on features to standard services (forexample, provisioning, billing, customer support . . . ) provided bywireless network platform 1010. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that arepart of a voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gatewaynode(s) 1018 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a datasession, and to serving node(s) 1016 for communication thereafter. Inaddition to application server, server(s) 1014 can include utilityserver(s), a utility server can include a provisioning server, anoperations and maintenance server, a security server that can implementat least in part a certificate authority and firewalls as well as othersecurity mechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security server(s)secure communication served through wireless network platform 1010 toensure network's operation and data integrity in addition toauthorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) 1012and PS gateway node(s) 1018 can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s)can provision services from external network(s) like networks operatedby a disparate service provider; for instance, WAN 1050 or GlobalPositioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s)can also provision coverage through networks associated to wirelessnetwork platform 1010 (e.g., deployed and operated by the same serviceprovider), such as femto-cell network(s) (not shown) that enhancewireless service coverage within indoor confined spaces and offload RANresources in order to enhance subscriber service experience within ahome or business environment by way of UE 1075.

It is to be noted that server(s) 1014 can include one or more processorsconfigured to confer at least in part the functionality of macro networkplatform 1010. To that end, the one or more processors can execute codeinstructions stored in memory 1030, for example. It should beappreciated that server(s) 1014 can include a content manager 1015,which operates in substantially the same manner as describedhereinbefore.

In example embodiment 1000, memory 1030 can store information related tooperation of wireless network platform 1010. Other operationalinformation can include provisioning information of mobile devicesserved through wireless platform network 1010, subscriber databases;application intelligence, pricing schemes, e.g., promotional rates,flat-rate programs, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s)consistent with telecommunication protocols for operation of disparateradio, or wireless, technology layers; and so forth. Memory 1030 canalso store information from at least one of telephony network(s) 1040,WAN 1050, enterprise network(s) 1060, or SS7 network 1070. In an aspect,memory 1030 can be, for example, accessed as part of a data storecomponent or as a remotely connected memory store.

In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosedsubject matter, FIG. 10 , and the following discussion, are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in whichthe various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented.While the subject matter has been described above in the general contextof computer-executable instructions of a computer program that runs on acomputer and/or computers, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination withother program modules. Generally, program modules include routines,programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particulartasks and/or implement particular abstract data types.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “datastore,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory, by way of illustration, and not limitation, volatilememory (see below), non-volatile memory (see below), disk storage (seebelow), and memory storage (see below). Further, nonvolatile memory canbe included in read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM),electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM(EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can include random accessmemory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory. By way ofillustration and not limitation, RAM is available in many forms such assynchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM),double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), SynchlinkDRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM). Additionally, thedisclosed memory components of systems or methods herein are intended tocomprise, without being limited to comprising, these and any othersuitable types of memory.

Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter can bepracticed with other computer system configurations, includingsingle-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, mini-computingdevices, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-heldcomputing devices (e.g., PDA, phone, watch, tablet computers, netbookcomputers, . . . ), microprocessor-based or programmable consumer orindustrial electronics, and the like. The illustrated aspects can alsobe practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network; however, some if not all aspects of the subjectdisclosure can be practiced on stand-alone computers. In a distributedcomputing environment, program modules can be located in both local andremote memory storage devices.

The embodiments described herein can employ artificial intelligence (AI)to facilitate automating one or more features described herein. Theembodiments (e.g., in connection with automatically identifying acquiredcell sites that provide a maximum value/benefit after addition to anexisting communication network) can employ various AI-based schemes forcarrying out various embodiments thereof. Moreover, the classifier canbe employed to determine a ranking or priority of each cell site of theacquired network. A classifier is a function that maps an inputattribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, . . . , xn), to a confidence thatthe input belongs to a class, that is, f(x)=confidence(class). Suchclassification can employ a probabilistic and/or statistical-basedanalysis (e.g., factoring into the analysis utilities and costs) toprognose or infer an action that a user desires to be automaticallyperformed. A support vector machine (SVM) is an example of a classifierthat can be employed. The SVM operates by finding a hypersurface in thespace of possible inputs, which the hypersurface attempts to split thetriggering criteria from the non-triggering events. Intuitively, thismakes the classification correct for testing data that is near, but notidentical to training data. Other directed and undirected modelclassification approaches include, e.g., naïve Bayes, Bayesian networks,decision trees, neural networks, fuzzy logic models, and probabilisticclassification models providing different patterns of independence canbe employed. Classification as used herein also is inclusive ofstatistical regression that is utilized to develop models of priority.

As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments canemploy classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generictraining data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing UEbehavior, operator preferences, historical information, receivingextrinsic information). For example, SVMs can be configured via alearning or training phase within a classifier constructor and featureselection module. Thus, the classifier(s) can be used to automaticallylearn and perform a number of functions, including but not limited todetermining according to a predetermined criteria which of the acquiredcell sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers and/or which ofthe acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existingcommunication network coverage, etc.

As used in this application, in some embodiments, the terms “component,”“system” and the like are intended to refer to, or include, acomputer-related entity or an entity related to an operational apparatuswith one or more specific functionalities, wherein the entity can beeither hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, orsoftware in execution. As an example, a component may be, but is notlimited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, anobject, an executable, a thread of execution, computer-executableinstructions, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration andnot limitation, both an application running on a server and the servercan be a component. One or more components may reside within a processand/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on onecomputer and/or distributed between two or more computers. In addition,these components can execute from various computer readable media havingvarious data structures stored thereon. The components may communicatevia local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signalhaving one or more data packets (e.g., data from one componentinteracting with another component in a local system, distributedsystem, and/or across a network such as the Internet with other systemsvia the signal). As another example, a component can be an apparatuswith specific functionality provided by mechanical parts operated byelectric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by a software orfirmware application executed by a processor, wherein the processor canbe internal or external to the apparatus and executes at least a part ofthe software or firmware application. As yet another example, acomponent can be an apparatus that provides specific functionalitythrough electronic components without mechanical parts, the electroniccomponents can include a processor therein to execute software orfirmware that confers at least in part the functionality of theelectronic components. While various components have been illustrated asseparate components, it will be appreciated that multiple components canbe implemented as a single component, or a single component can beimplemented as multiple components, without departing from exampleembodiments.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device or computer-readable storage/communicationsmedia. For example, computer readable storage media can include, but arenot limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digitalversatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g.,card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art willrecognize many modifications can be made to this configuration withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.

In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to meanserving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or designdescribed herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments ordesigns. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended topresent concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, theterm “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive“or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both Aand B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoinginstances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims should generally be construed tomean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context tobe directed to a singular form.

Moreover, terms such as “user equipment,” “mobile station,” “mobile,”subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” “mobiledevice” (and/or terms representing similar terminology) can refer to awireless device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wirelesscommunication service to receive or convey data, control, voice, video,sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. Theforegoing terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with referenceto the related drawings.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer” andthe like are employed interchangeably throughout, unless contextwarrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automatedcomponents supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacityto make inference based, at least, on complex mathematical formalisms),which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

As employed herein, the term “processor” can refer to substantially anycomputing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited tocomprising, single-core processors; single-processors with softwaremultithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-coreprocessors with software multithread execution capability; multi-coreprocessors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; andparallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, aprocessor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), acomplex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistorlogic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof designedto perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploitnano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular andquantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimizespace usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor canalso be implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

What has been described above includes mere examples of variousembodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing these examples, but one of ordinary skill in the art canrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the presentembodiments are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and/orclaimed herein are intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes”is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term isintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: suspending, by a user equipment comprising a processor, data transmissions of the user equipment using a first communication protocol for a defined length of time during a reselection from the first communication protocol to a second communication protocol; and in response to determining that a buffer used for buffering data associated with the data transmissions is full during the defined length of time and before the reselection has been determined to have completed, resuming, by the user equipment, a data transmission of the data transmissions using the first communication protocol.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: resuming, by the user equipment, the data transmissions using the second communication protocol in response to determining that the reselection from the first communication protocol to the second communication protocol has been completed.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the resuming of the data transmission comprises resuming the data transmission using the data in the buffer.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the data transmission is a first data transmission, and further comprising: resuming, by the user equipment, a second data transmission of the data transmissions that satisfies a criterion relating to a priority of transmission during the defined length of time.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first communication protocol is a fourth generation network communication protocol and the second communication protocol is a sixth generation network communication protocol.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the data transmission is a first data transmission, and further comprising: in response to determining that the buffer associated with the buffering of the data transmissions is full and before the reselection has been determined to have completed, terminating, by the user equipment, a packet session associated with a second data transmission of the data transmissions.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising, in response to determining that the buffer used for buffering the data associated with the data transmissions is full during the defined length of time and before the reselection has been determined to have completed, ignoring, by the user equipment, an incoming data transmission to the user equipment during the defined length of time.
 8. A user equipment, comprising: a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising: halting data transmissions of the user equipment using a first communication protocol for a defined length of time during a reselection from the first communication protocol to a second communication protocol; and in response to determining that a buffer used for buffering data associated with the data transmissions is full during the defined length of time and before the reselection has been determined to have completed, recommencing a data transmission of the data transmissions using the first communication protocol.
 9. The user equipment of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise: recommencing the data transmissions using the second communication protocol in response to determining that the reselection from the first communication protocol to the second communication protocol has been completed.
 10. The user equipment of claim 8, wherein the recommencing of the data transmission comprises recommencing the data transmission using the data in the buffer.
 11. The user equipment of claim 8, wherein the data transmission is a first data transmission, and the operations further comprise: recommencing a second data transmission of the data transmissions that satisfies a criterion relating to a priority of transmission during the defined length of time.
 12. The user equipment of claim 8, wherein the first communication protocol is a fifth generation network communication protocol and the second communication protocol is a sixth generation network communication protocol.
 13. The user equipment of claim 8, wherein the data transmission is a first data transmission, and the operations further comprise: in response to determining that the buffer associated with the buffering of the data transmissions is full and before the reselection has been determined to have completed, ending a packet session associated with a second data transmission of the data transmissions.
 14. The user equipment of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise, in response to determining that the buffer used for buffering the data associated with the data transmissions is full during the defined length of time and before the reselection has been determined to have completed, blocking an incoming data transmission to the user equipment during the defined length of time.
 15. A non-transitory machine-readable medium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processor of a device, facilitate performance of operations, comprising: pausing data transmissions of the device using a first communication protocol for a defined length of time during a reselection from the first communication protocol to a second communication protocol; and in response to determining that a buffer used for buffering data associated with the data transmissions is full during the defined length of time and before the reselection has been determined to have completed, restarting a data transmission of the data transmissions using the first communication protocol.
 16. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the first communication protocol is a fourth generation wireless communication protocol and the second communication protocol is at least a fifth generation wireless communication protocol.
 17. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the first communication protocol is a fourth generation wireless communications protocol and the second communication protocol is at least a sixth generation wireless communication protocol.
 18. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the first communication protocol is a cellular communication protocol and the second communication protocol is a non-cellular communication protocol.
 19. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the first communication protocol is a fifth generation wireless communication protocol and the second communication protocol is at least a sixth generation wireless communication protocol.
 20. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the first communication protocol is assigned a first priority and the second communication protocol is assigned a second priority that is higher than the first priority. 